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What fish is this? Barracuda?

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Sorry I don't have a picture! I saw this extraordinary fish at a specialty aquatic store. It was labeled a barracuda, but it did not look like a barracuda when I tried to google it later. So I will try to describe it best I can and let me know if you know this species.

It was long shaped like a barracuda, sort of, but it was a little bit wider and fatter. It was large, maybe 1-2 feet but looked like it could get bigger. It has these poms(like cheerleader pompoms) coming out the side of it's body. The poms were segmented like a centipede or something. The poms are what intrigued me, they looked very unusually for what seemed to be a predatory fish. I would have bought it if it wasn't $250, and if I had the tank space for it. It had maybe a greyish color and I can't remember any specific markings or other colors.

A fish that is two feet long does not need a 10 foot long tank. The OP has not asked about tank size.

The only thing you will get without pictures is guesses. And it sounds as if it has external gills. No baracuda I can think of has external gills. Delhezi bichirs will retain their external gills for awhile, and sometimes until they are a foot or so long. If it was freshwater, some kind of bichir would be my guess.

The advice on tank size we provide here is meant for the adult size of the fish.

How can you give advice of the tank size for an adult fish, when know one knows what kind of fish it is? And the OP never asked what size tank was needed. One of the people that posted decided to throw out a random tank size for a fish that may or may not need a 10 foot tank.

The OP stated the fish was 1-2 feet already and looked like it would grow more. Personally I think a 10ft tank is about right for a currently 2ft fish even if it doesn't have the potential to grow even bigger, but I don't like to cram fish in tanks. The real question is why are you seemingly trying to start an argument?

When I go fishing I just throw sharp rocks in the water and wait for the dead fish to float to the top... KingfisherEverything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
A moderator on a fish forum should be able to identify an oscar... Don't you think?Dear naps, sorry I hated you so much when I was a child... Love me

The OP stated the fish was 1-2 feet already and looked like it would grow more. Personally I think a 10ft tank is about right for a currently 2ft fish even if it doesn't have the potential to grow even bigger, but I don't like to cram fish in tanks. The real question is why are you seemingly trying to start an argument?

I'm not arguing about anything. I am very curious as to why anyone would throw out a tank size for a fish when know one knows what it is. It's seems peculiar to me. Tanks size was not mentioned at all by the OP. But someone felt the need to say what size tank a fish needs, when he has no idea what kind of fish it is. Very peculiar. And there is a huge difference between a fish that is 1' long, and a fish that is 2' long. A Oscar will generally grow to around 1'. And a 4', 75 gallon tank is generally considered a minimum for one. I personally think a 5' 110 gallon is better for one. My opinion. But, for a say, a 2' male Jag, a 180 will do. Wider would be better, but one will do fine in a 180.My opinion. And a 2' male Jag is not that common. 20'' is about the max they get. These are two fish that we actually know what they are. The OP is looking for a fish ID, and a 10 foot tank is said to be needed? Why?